For once, Saturday Night Live'scold opening was no laughing matter. A day after the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre — which killed 20 children and six adults — the show opened with the New York City Children's Chorus performing a moving version of "Silent Night":

Despite the solemn cold open, there were still plenty of laughs to be had for the rest of the program. Host Martin Short played a representative of the royal family who instructs Kate Middleton's OBGYN (Bill Hader) on royal protocol. Much of the protocol pertained to how the doctor should address the Duchess' sometimes-hat-wearing vagina, which should be known by multiple names, including: the governess, her Downton Abbey, Dame Judi Dench and Thomas' English muffin. And of course, you must compliment the royal "ah-hem" with phrases like "this is by far the best one of these I've ever seen":

Among his many characters of the night, Short busted out an impressive impression of Curb Your Enthusiasm star Larry David for the upcoming production "You're a Rat Bastard, Charlie Brown," coming soon to Brooklyn:

Among the night's many surprise special guests — including Kristen Wiig, Alec Baldwin, Jimmy Fallon, and Tina Fey — it was Samuel L. Jackson who stole the show when he maybe, possibly, kind of dropped the F-bomb during the talk-show skit "What Up With That?" Jackson insists he said "fuh" and not "f---," but he also said "bulls---" during the sketch. Did Jackson drop the F bomb? You be the judge:

Musical guest Paul McCartney also got to take part in the fun during auditions for the local community Christmas pageant in which McCartney was the triangle player to Short's singer, Caleb. Throughout the clip, Short berated McCartney's Monty for trying to sing when he was supposed to just stick to the triangle. "I have a million-dollar voice — you do not!" Unfortunately, it led into "Wonderful Christmastime" which, fortunately, featured an appearance by the New York City Children's Choir:

And of course, because it's holiday party season, there was a return appearance by "Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party"

What did you think of Short? What was your favorite sketch? SNL returns next year with host Jennifer Lawrence.